United Airlines honors aviation maintenance students for skill, professionalism

Source: http://www.liberty.edu/alumni/alumni-news/?MID=232923

A team of students from the Liberty University School of Aeronautics (SOA) Aviation Maintenance Technician Program (AMTP) were recognized by United Airlines as the top college competitor for technical skill and professionalism during last week’s Aerospace Maintenance Competition (AMC) in Orlando, Fla. As part of the award, each member of the team received $250.

Over 50 teams, including professional and military entities, competed in 24 timed skills competitions. Final placings were determined based on the total time accumulated across the competitions. Out of the 21 collegiate teams, Liberty finished seventh.

The AMC is hosted by the Aerospace Maintenance Council and presented by Snap-on. This was the second time that a team from Liberty’s SOA participated in the competition. The award from United proves Liberty is quickly gaining experience and recognition as a top team in the nation.

“We were surprised to be recognized by United Airlines in this way, but in reality this is exactly what we hope distinguishes us,” said AMTP Instructor David Ashburn, who coached Liberty’s team. “It is a priority in the AMTP to send out men and women that have integrity, professionalism, and safety as some of their core values, in addition to being excellent mechanics.”

Liberty’s AMTP can be completed in one year and offers complete training for FAA licensure. The program can also be taken as part of an Associate of Arts in Aviation Maintenance or Bachelor of Science in Aviation Maintenance Management.

The airline industry will need to fill over 600,000 aviation maintenance technician positions in the next 20 years, according to a report by Boeing.